Solar Inverter

A solar inverter converts electricity (DC, or direct current) from solar panels into power (AC, or alternating current) that can be used by the plugs/sockets to power devices and other wired products. Solar panels do not have the capacity to create AC power by itself; they need the helping hand of a solar inverter.

Core and Extended Roles of a Solar Inverter

Inverter technologies have advanced significantly, such that in addition to converting DC to AC, they provide a number of other capabilities and services to ensure that the inverter can operate at an optimal performance level, such as :-

a) Data monitoring

b) Advanced utility controls

c) Applications and system design engineering.

Choosing An Inverter

The following parameters need to be considered while choosing an inverter:

Wattage rating, or how much power in watts the inverter can deliver.

Surge power- How much power and for how long it can deliver the power needed to start motors or other loads.

Efficiency, or how efficient the inverter is at low, medium and high power draws, as well as how much power is used when on idle.

Functionality. From simply converting DC to AC to the highly sophisticated, multifunctional grid tie inverters which accept and convert energy from several different sources and route excess into the grid in a compatible form and in a safe way.